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December 2020

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Horror Fuel

Bid 2020 Goodbye with Another Hole in the Head Film Festival’s Stellar Genre Film Lineup

San Francisco’s Another Hole in the Head Film Festival is ending 2020 on a high note for horror and genre-film fans by offering a mind-boggling array of almost 300 selections during its December 11-27 online run. Looking for a surreal genre-mash-up? Try Sister Tempest. How about a psychological supernatural thriller — with sharks? Give From the Depths (our featured image for this article) a shot. Interested in a unique approach to a horror classic? Then you’ll want to check out the New Zealand offering The Turn of the Screw. Following is the official press release, with all of the information you’ll need to make a huge must-see list and order tickets. SF IndieFest is pleased to announce the complete program for the 17th Another Hole In The Head Film Festival which takes place December 11 to 27 via Eventive.org and Zoom.us. The festival will once again bring the freshest new independent genre films from around the world to San Francisco

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Dec 7, 2020
Horror Fuel

Hulu Review: ‘Run’ Starring Sarah Paulson

Hulu’s original thriller Run is breaking records on the streaming service. So, I wanted to see what all the fuss is about. And I really enjoyed it. Sarah Paulson (“AHS”) stars as Diane Sherman, a mother consumed with her desire to protect her teenage daughter Chloe (Kiera Allen) who is bound to a wheelchair and suffers from a host of other medical problems. But everything is not as it seems and Diane is hiding a dark secret. When her daughter begins to uncover the truth and tries to escape Diane’s world is thrown into chaos. The first thing I noticed right off to bat is that it appears the story took a lot of inspiration from the true story of Gyspy Rose Blanchard, the young woman whose mother kept her sick for her entire life. But have no fear, Run‘s events differ a lot from Gypsy’s life story. First off, this movie is intense and features a lot of tension

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Dec 6, 2020
Horror Fuel

Short Film Review: Nova (2020)

Dr. Nova Thorpe (Kelly Kula) is racing against the clock to get a warning out about impending doom related to a top secret experiment she’s involved in… but is said threat already in the room with her? Running a scant eight minutes, Nova, the latest short film from writer/director David McAbee makes a lot of very little; to wit: we have one actress (the aforementioned Kula who does a fantastic job of selling the dire straits she has been tossed into), one room, and some rock solid cinematography (courtesy of David C. Smith). Adding to the overall top-shelf quality of this short is the fact our heroine’s degeneration is captured in nearly one continuous shot (which rumor has it was achieved with the help of a remotely operated robotic arm) and features some great make-up effects created by Chanel Panagiotopoulos. There’s not much more to say really; if you love a tense sci-fi tale told right (and right quick) then

Continue reading →
DanXIII
Dec 6, 2020
Horror Fuel

Matt Reeves Producing ‘Switchboard’ Along With Paranormal Activity Producer

Head of the 2022 release of Matt Reeves‘ The Batman, news has come (via THR) that Reeves has come on board to produce the upcoming horror film Switchboard from Devon Graye. Graye’s film is” set in the late 1940s and centers on a young female switchboard operator who finds herself communicating with, and possibly targeted by, an active serial killer. As their conversation intensifies, she begins to question her safety, her sanity, and, ultimately, her very reality.” Reeves will produce alongside Steven Schneider (Paranormal Activity) and Armaan Zorace whose film Wraith is currently in pre-production. We’ll keep you posted as we learn more.

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Dec 6, 2020
Horror Fuel

A First Look At Neil Marshall’s Upcoming Horror ‘The Reckoning’

RLJE and Shudder have acquired Neil Marshall‘s new witchy horror film The Reckoning. Set against the backdrop of the Great Plague in the 17th century, the film centers on Evelyn Haverstock (Charlotte Kirk), a young widow haunted by the recent suicide of her husband Joseph (Joe Anderson) as she is falsely accused of witchcraft by her jealous landlord, Squire Pendleton (Steven Waddington) after she rejects his advances. Marshall is a brilliant writer and director known for his films and his work on series such as The Descent, Hellboy, “Game of Thrones” and “Hannibal.” Be sure to keep an eye out for updates on his other upcoming film The Lair. The Reckoning will be released by RLJE before arriving on Shudder. The trailer should arrive soon.

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Dec 6, 2020
Horror Fuel

Hilary Swank & ‘Michael Ealy Play A Game Of Cat & Mouse In ‘Fatale’

Hilary Swank and Michael Ealy play a cuplee of a game of cat and mouse in director Deon Taylor‘s high tension thriller Fatale. Mike Colter, Danny Pino, Tyrin Turner, and Damaris Lewis also star in the film. After a wild one-night stand, Derrick (Michael Ealy), a successful sports agent, watches his perfect life slowly disappear when he discovers that the sexy and mysterious woman he risked everything for, is a determined police detective (Hilary Swank) who entangles him in her latest investigation. As he tries desperately to put the pieces together, he falls deeper into her trap, risking his family, his career, and even his life. Fatale is a suspenseful and provocative psychological thriller and an unpredictable game of cat and mouse where one mistake can change your life. Roxanne Avent Taylor, p.g.a., Deon Taylor, p.g.a., and Hilary Swank produce Fatale, opening in theaters on December 18, 2020, from Lionsgate.

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Dec 6, 2020
Horror Fuel

A Killer Clown Is On The Loose In The ‘Massacre Academy’ Trailer

The official teaser trailer for the upcoming 80s style horror comedy Massacre Academy is here, revealing a killer clown. The story follows Kris McNeil (Jess Uhler), one of the lone survivors of a brutal series of murders two years ago by the infamous killer, Carnie the Killer Clown. Now as she is trying to pick up the pieces of her life once more, another series of killings begin and set her on a path to face Carnie once more. Jess Uhler, Sierra Mitchell, Christina Krakowski, Brian Ceponis, Ashley Reign, Shawn C. Phillips, April Golebiewski, Ray Cygrymus, Ric Dutrow, Stephanie Swift, Valena Zitello, Lawrence Karl, Jennifer DiBlasio, Ryan Bergman, and Ron Siebert star in the film written and directed by Mark Cantu (Average Joe). Thomas F. Parker, Liz Cantu, and Miranda Lynn Chapman produce Massacre Academy whose release date should be revealed soon.

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Dec 6, 2020
Horror Fuel

Halloween Horror ‘Black Pumpkin’ Out This December

Thanks to the delays due to Covid, genre fans are continuing to see Halloween movies be released, not that we are complaining. Festival favorite Black Pumpkin happens to be one of those movies, but this December it’s heading home. “On October 31, 2018, two preteens in a small town accidentally awaken an evil that has lain dormant for decades. They are forced to survive through a terrifying Halloween night of cat-and-mouse, from the monster known as “Bloody Bobby”.” Dogen Eyeler (PAW Patrol), Gemma Brooke Allen (SealTeam), Grayson Thorne Patrick (Wet Hot American Summer: 10 Years Later), Kamilla Alnes (“American Horror Story”), Ellie Patrikios (In The Blink of An Eye), Alix Lane (One Minute Worlds), Jacques Derosena (“The Wire”), Connor Weil (Scream: The TV Series), Jo Osmond (Doctor Who), Jordyn Lucas (Room 104), Brittany Belt (The Rookie), and Joseph Barone (“American Horror Story”) star in a Ryan McGonagle film. Black Pumpkin will be released on iTunes, Vudu, Xbox, Googleplay, Amazon, DirecTV,

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Dec 6, 2020
Horror Fuel

A Family Is In Danger In The New Trailer For ‘The Delivered’

Journey back in time for the horror-thriller The Delivered (aka Fanny Lye Deliver’d) starring “Game of Thrones” actor Charles Dance. Written, directed, and produced by Thomas Clay, the film is set on an isolated farm in Shropshire in 1657. The Delivered tells the story of Fanny Lye, a woman who learns to transcend her oppressive marriage and discover a new world of possibility – albeit at great personal cost. Living a life of Puritan stricture with husband John and young son Arthur, Fanny Lye’s world is shaken to its core by the unexpected arrival of two strangers in need, a young couple closely pursued by a ruthless sheriff and his deputy. Maxine Peake (The Theory of Everything), Freddie Fox (King Arthur: Legend of the Sword), and Tanya Reynolds (Sex Education) also star. The Delivered debuted in the UK and currently has a 96% Rotten Tomatoes score. Quiver Distribution will release this drama-filled film on VOD on January 15, 2020.

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Dec 5, 2020
Horror Fuel

The ‘Castle Freak’ Reboot Has Been Unleashed

The “reimagining” of Dennis Paoli and Stuart Gordon’s Charles Band executive produced 1995 Full Moon horror classic Castle Freak is now out on Shudder, VOD, and Digital from RLJE Films. The film marks the directorial debut of award-winning special effects artist Tate Steinsiek (“Face-Off”, Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich). In the film, after she is permanently blinded in a tragic car accident, Rebecca receives some bizarre news: her long-lost-mother has recently passed away, leaving her their family’s ancestral castle. Traveling to the estate with a group of friends, Rebecca hopes it will be an opportunity for her to reconnect with a past she never knew—and a mother who seemingly left her behind. When mysterious happenings begin to occur and her friends begin to die, Rebecca must unravel her family’s mysterious history. Clair Catherine (The Preppie Connection), Jake Horowitz (The Vast of Night), Chris Galust (Give Me Liberty), Kika Magalhaes (The Eyes of My Mother), Emily Sweet (Syn), Elisha Pratt (“True

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Dec 5, 2020

More from this archive

Horror Fuel

Bid 2020 Goodbye with Another Hole in the Head Film Festival’s Stellar Genre Film Lineup

San Francisco’s Another Hole in the Head Film Festival is ending 2020 on a high note for horror and genre-film fans by offering a mind-boggling array of almost 300 selections during its December 11-27 online run. Looking for a surreal genre-mash-up? Try Sister Tempest. How about a psychological supernatural thriller — with sharks? Give From the Depths (our featured image for this article) a shot. Interested in a unique approach to a horror classic? Then you’ll want to check out the New Zealand offering The Turn of the Screw. Following is the official press release, with all of the information you’ll need to make a huge must-see list and order tickets. SF IndieFest is pleased to announce the complete program for the 17th Another Hole In The Head Film Festival which takes place December 11 to 27 via Eventive.org and Zoom.us. The festival will once again bring the freshest new independent genre films from around the world to San Francisco

Continue reading →
Joseph Perry
Dec 7, 2020
Horror Fuel

Hulu Review: ‘Run’ Starring Sarah Paulson

Hulu’s original thriller Run is breaking records on the streaming service. So, I wanted to see what all the fuss is about. And I really enjoyed it. Sarah Paulson (“AHS”) stars as Diane Sherman, a mother consumed with her desire to protect her teenage daughter Chloe (Kiera Allen) who is bound to a wheelchair and suffers from a host of other medical problems. But everything is not as it seems and Diane is hiding a dark secret. When her daughter begins to uncover the truth and tries to escape Diane’s world is thrown into chaos. The first thing I noticed right off to bat is that it appears the story took a lot of inspiration from the true story of Gyspy Rose Blanchard, the young woman whose mother kept her sick for her entire life. But have no fear, Run‘s events differ a lot from Gypsy’s life story. First off, this movie is intense and features a lot of tension

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Dec 6, 2020
Horror Fuel

Short Film Review: Nova (2020)

Dr. Nova Thorpe (Kelly Kula) is racing against the clock to get a warning out about impending doom related to a top secret experiment she’s involved in… but is said threat already in the room with her? Running a scant eight minutes, Nova, the latest short film from writer/director David McAbee makes a lot of very little; to wit: we have one actress (the aforementioned Kula who does a fantastic job of selling the dire straits she has been tossed into), one room, and some rock solid cinematography (courtesy of David C. Smith). Adding to the overall top-shelf quality of this short is the fact our heroine’s degeneration is captured in nearly one continuous shot (which rumor has it was achieved with the help of a remotely operated robotic arm) and features some great make-up effects created by Chanel Panagiotopoulos. There’s not much more to say really; if you love a tense sci-fi tale told right (and right quick) then

Continue reading →
DanXIII
Dec 6, 2020
Horror Fuel

Matt Reeves Producing ‘Switchboard’ Along With Paranormal Activity Producer

Head of the 2022 release of Matt Reeves‘ The Batman, news has come (via THR) that Reeves has come on board to produce the upcoming horror film Switchboard from Devon Graye. Graye’s film is” set in the late 1940s and centers on a young female switchboard operator who finds herself communicating with, and possibly targeted by, an active serial killer. As their conversation intensifies, she begins to question her safety, her sanity, and, ultimately, her very reality.” Reeves will produce alongside Steven Schneider (Paranormal Activity) and Armaan Zorace whose film Wraith is currently in pre-production. We’ll keep you posted as we learn more.

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Dec 6, 2020
Horror Fuel

A First Look At Neil Marshall’s Upcoming Horror ‘The Reckoning’

RLJE and Shudder have acquired Neil Marshall‘s new witchy horror film The Reckoning. Set against the backdrop of the Great Plague in the 17th century, the film centers on Evelyn Haverstock (Charlotte Kirk), a young widow haunted by the recent suicide of her husband Joseph (Joe Anderson) as she is falsely accused of witchcraft by her jealous landlord, Squire Pendleton (Steven Waddington) after she rejects his advances. Marshall is a brilliant writer and director known for his films and his work on series such as The Descent, Hellboy, “Game of Thrones” and “Hannibal.” Be sure to keep an eye out for updates on his other upcoming film The Lair. The Reckoning will be released by RLJE before arriving on Shudder. The trailer should arrive soon.

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Dec 6, 2020
Horror Fuel

Hilary Swank & ‘Michael Ealy Play A Game Of Cat & Mouse In ‘Fatale’

Hilary Swank and Michael Ealy play a cuplee of a game of cat and mouse in director Deon Taylor‘s high tension thriller Fatale. Mike Colter, Danny Pino, Tyrin Turner, and Damaris Lewis also star in the film. After a wild one-night stand, Derrick (Michael Ealy), a successful sports agent, watches his perfect life slowly disappear when he discovers that the sexy and mysterious woman he risked everything for, is a determined police detective (Hilary Swank) who entangles him in her latest investigation. As he tries desperately to put the pieces together, he falls deeper into her trap, risking his family, his career, and even his life. Fatale is a suspenseful and provocative psychological thriller and an unpredictable game of cat and mouse where one mistake can change your life. Roxanne Avent Taylor, p.g.a., Deon Taylor, p.g.a., and Hilary Swank produce Fatale, opening in theaters on December 18, 2020, from Lionsgate.

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Dec 6, 2020
Horror Fuel

A Killer Clown Is On The Loose In The ‘Massacre Academy’ Trailer

The official teaser trailer for the upcoming 80s style horror comedy Massacre Academy is here, revealing a killer clown. The story follows Kris McNeil (Jess Uhler), one of the lone survivors of a brutal series of murders two years ago by the infamous killer, Carnie the Killer Clown. Now as she is trying to pick up the pieces of her life once more, another series of killings begin and set her on a path to face Carnie once more. Jess Uhler, Sierra Mitchell, Christina Krakowski, Brian Ceponis, Ashley Reign, Shawn C. Phillips, April Golebiewski, Ray Cygrymus, Ric Dutrow, Stephanie Swift, Valena Zitello, Lawrence Karl, Jennifer DiBlasio, Ryan Bergman, and Ron Siebert star in the film written and directed by Mark Cantu (Average Joe). Thomas F. Parker, Liz Cantu, and Miranda Lynn Chapman produce Massacre Academy whose release date should be revealed soon.

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Dec 6, 2020
Horror Fuel

Halloween Horror ‘Black Pumpkin’ Out This December

Thanks to the delays due to Covid, genre fans are continuing to see Halloween movies be released, not that we are complaining. Festival favorite Black Pumpkin happens to be one of those movies, but this December it’s heading home. “On October 31, 2018, two preteens in a small town accidentally awaken an evil that has lain dormant for decades. They are forced to survive through a terrifying Halloween night of cat-and-mouse, from the monster known as “Bloody Bobby”.” Dogen Eyeler (PAW Patrol), Gemma Brooke Allen (SealTeam), Grayson Thorne Patrick (Wet Hot American Summer: 10 Years Later), Kamilla Alnes (“American Horror Story”), Ellie Patrikios (In The Blink of An Eye), Alix Lane (One Minute Worlds), Jacques Derosena (“The Wire”), Connor Weil (Scream: The TV Series), Jo Osmond (Doctor Who), Jordyn Lucas (Room 104), Brittany Belt (The Rookie), and Joseph Barone (“American Horror Story”) star in a Ryan McGonagle film. Black Pumpkin will be released on iTunes, Vudu, Xbox, Googleplay, Amazon, DirecTV,

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Dec 6, 2020
Horror Fuel

A Family Is In Danger In The New Trailer For ‘The Delivered’

Journey back in time for the horror-thriller The Delivered (aka Fanny Lye Deliver’d) starring “Game of Thrones” actor Charles Dance. Written, directed, and produced by Thomas Clay, the film is set on an isolated farm in Shropshire in 1657. The Delivered tells the story of Fanny Lye, a woman who learns to transcend her oppressive marriage and discover a new world of possibility – albeit at great personal cost. Living a life of Puritan stricture with husband John and young son Arthur, Fanny Lye’s world is shaken to its core by the unexpected arrival of two strangers in need, a young couple closely pursued by a ruthless sheriff and his deputy. Maxine Peake (The Theory of Everything), Freddie Fox (King Arthur: Legend of the Sword), and Tanya Reynolds (Sex Education) also star. The Delivered debuted in the UK and currently has a 96% Rotten Tomatoes score. Quiver Distribution will release this drama-filled film on VOD on January 15, 2020.

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Dec 5, 2020
Horror Fuel

The ‘Castle Freak’ Reboot Has Been Unleashed

The “reimagining” of Dennis Paoli and Stuart Gordon’s Charles Band executive produced 1995 Full Moon horror classic Castle Freak is now out on Shudder, VOD, and Digital from RLJE Films. The film marks the directorial debut of award-winning special effects artist Tate Steinsiek (“Face-Off”, Puppet Master: The Littlest Reich). In the film, after she is permanently blinded in a tragic car accident, Rebecca receives some bizarre news: her long-lost-mother has recently passed away, leaving her their family’s ancestral castle. Traveling to the estate with a group of friends, Rebecca hopes it will be an opportunity for her to reconnect with a past she never knew—and a mother who seemingly left her behind. When mysterious happenings begin to occur and her friends begin to die, Rebecca must unravel her family’s mysterious history. Clair Catherine (The Preppie Connection), Jake Horowitz (The Vast of Night), Chris Galust (Give Me Liberty), Kika Magalhaes (The Eyes of My Mother), Emily Sweet (Syn), Elisha Pratt (“True

Continue reading →
Kelli Marchman McNeely
Dec 5, 2020
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